Maine is small enough that the entire state has only one Craigslist page, but there are still plenty of contractors to choose from who do construction in Maine. If you are hiring a contractor for residential construction or roofing in Maine, you should do your research before deciding which contractor to hire. If you are looking for sources of Schadenfreude, you can do worse than odd news items and Internet discussion boards about home contractor fraud, where the contractor skipped town after receiving the initial deposit, but it is not so entertaining when the contractor you have hires ghosts you when your roofing project is only halfway finished. These are some ways that you can know that the building contractor you are planning to hire is trustworthy.
They Show You Proof of Licenses and Insurance
Never hire a roofing contractor who does not have the legally required licenses and insurance. If an unlicensed contractor does a bad job with your building or renovation project and you file a claim with your homeowner’s insurance company, the insurance agent will laugh in your face and tell you that you were a fool to hire someone so shady. Likewise, if the contracting company does not carry workers’ compensation insurance, and one of the workers gets injured while working on your house, you will be responsible for his accident-related medical bills.
A Verifiable Reputation
Any business that is legitimate enough to admit that it exists has an online reputation. Look at the company’s website, if it has one, and read online reviews. Lots of negative reviews are a red flag, but so are reviews that sound too good to be true. Check if the company has had any Better Business Bureau complaints filed against it. If possible, choose a company that someone you know offline has hired before.
They Give You a Written and Realistic Estimate
Just as it should be a deal-breaker if a contractor will not show you proof of licenses and insurance, it should also be a deal-breaker if a contractor wants you to make the first payment before they give you a written estimate of how much the whole project will cost. If the prices seem excessive, get some competitors’ quotes to see what the going rate is. The estimate should be itemized in detail. Low prices that seem too good to be true probably are.
A Well-Written Contract
When you sign a contract with the contractor for the project, it should be as detailed as possible. It should contain information about the timetable and what happens if the project goes over budget, as well as force majeure events and dispute resolution procedures. Taking the time to go over a contract is much less costly than suing a contractor who doesn’t do what they promised.
For the utmost professionalism and competence when it comes to residential construction and roofing, contact Double J Construction in Portland, Maine.
